Volkswagen Golf (Germany, 1985-1992)

The second generation of the Golf would be launched in August 1983, as a slightly bigger and somewhat rounded version. Both interior and exterior dimensions, as well as the weight and the wheelbase length, were a little bit higher.
With this generation’s launch, the North American “Rabbit” was standardized, changing its name to Golf, the way Volkswagen originally named it.
This was the first Golf to have four-wheel drive versions (the Syncro) and there were a lot more diverse engine options to choose. From 1986, it was started a 16-valve version, which provided a slightly lighter and more agile drive.
Nevertheless, no Cabriolet Mk2-version of the Golf was made, thus the Mk1 Cabriolet manufacture was continued.
In 1992 (February), the Mk2 Golf officially stopped being manufactured.

The most basic engine for this generation of the Golf was the 1.3L, while the most powerful one was a 2.0L, both petrol engines. There was a wide range of petrol engines between those two. Its new 1.8L, 16-valve engine could now reach a top speed of 119mi/h (191km/h), outputting an 112hp force.
The diesel engine range included only the 1.6L choice, which could either be a naturally aspired or a turbocharged engine (turbo diesel or turbo-intercooled diesel).
The Golf Mk2 released a “G60” edition, which differed for having a supercharged 8-valve engine and drive options between front- and four-wheel drive.
In a general perspective, Golf Mk2 engines were able to produce from 54 to 207hp.
This Golf’s transmission could be either a standard 4-speed or 5-speed manual or, optionally, a 3-speed automatic.
In general, this car was available in front- and four-wheel drive options.

Platform Golf Mk2 is based on a Volkswagen A2 platform.   Suspension (no data)   Steering (no data)   Brakes Standard Golf versions came with wholly built-in disc brakes in the front wheels and drums in the rear wheels. The Mk2 GTI has disc brakes all around, no disc-drum system. This Golf also came with new brake cooling ducts.

The Mk2 Golf was basically a larger, heavier and rounder version of its antecessor, available in both three-door and five-door types.
VW’s design director, Schäfer, was the responsible for the Golf Mk2’s exterior design, although he tried to maintain the general lines from its ancestor, creating a larger bodyshell.
The GTI version additionally included sports seats, alloys and wheel-arch extensions.
Within the years of its existence, the Mk2 Golf suffered quite a few style adjustments. The most noticeable one were the renowned “Big Bumpers”, which started being a part of the Golf in 1989.
Aside from those, the headlights became squared and a high-mounted brakelight was added. Another evident change was the removal of the quarter windows in the Golf’s front doors, along with the larger grill slats. Also, the rear VW badge that used to be placed on the left was now centered.

The 1987 commercial ad for Mk2 Golf, “Changes”, featuring a character that seems a lot like with Princess Diana, who is ditching everything that’s related to expensiveness (mink coat, wedding ring, pearl necklace, etc.) except for her VW car keys, displays the tagline: “If only everything in life was as reliable as a Volkswagen”. This ad had a very positive effect on the Golf’s popularity.